'NO, IT'S NOT true. I'm not a vegetarian. I wish I could say I was, but I'm not,' declares Sophie Marceau, dismissing reports to the contrary. 'I tried for six months while filming The World is Not Enough but my skin turned green. I looked like Ms Hulk.'
I doubt that very much, but when one of France's most famous actresses compares herself to a giant, humanoid monster it only adds another layer to the woman best known to English audiences as the villainous Bond girl Elektra. Marceau is not only beautiful, intelligent and self-deprecating, but she's seriously funny, providing another reason for women around the world to turn an enviable shade of 'Hulky' green.
We meet at the Mandarin Oriental in Central. The city hasn't turned on its best day. It's drizzling grey. I thought I'd be kept waiting but no, you can add punctual to her list of traits. She enters the room with all the aplomb one would expect from an international movie star, unfurling a long limb leading to a beautifully manicured hand, her brown hair happily sashaying on her shoulders, minimal makeup impeccable and body toned and tanned. So far, so intimidating. She nestles in a seat and rests her hand on her temple, as if trying to iron out crow's feet, to push back the clock with her fingers. But there's no need. At 44, Marceau has seemingly spent a lot of time lounging in that youth fountain.
Conversation soon turns to fashion but this topic fails to excite. 'I'm not much of a shopper. When it comes to looks I suppose I have many styles. But I don't really think I have a sense of style.' There it is; the first self deprication of the afternoon, one contradicted by the fact that Marceau oozes style and on this particular day looks delightful in an understated navy dress ('not sure of the label') and cream patent leather shoes. 'They're Louboutin but really I'm not into labels. I appreciate designers and what they create but I am not obsessed with brands.'
Brand-shunner she may claim to be, but Marceau was in Hong Kong recently to promote one: the French jeweller Chaumet, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary. 'I've had a long and very happy relationship with Chaumet,' she says, her wrist, fingers and neck dripping with big, sparkling ambassadorial perks that would keep even the most tortured collaborator happy.
Marceau had a normal childhood spent growing up in the Parisian district of Gentilly, in a small working-class family which included her truck-driver father and shop assistant mother. This picture moved from Suburban Sophie to Superstar Sophie when Marceau, aged 14, heard that director Claude Pinoteau was on the hunt for teenagers to feature in his 1980 film, La Boum (The Party). She auditioned and landed the lead role. The film became a big hit, as did Marceau (its sequel was also a hit). But unlike many young stars, Marceau avoided fame's pitfalls, which she says had much to do with the support of her family. 'Did I cope? I'm not sure I did at times, but my parents kept me grounded. Really, they saved my life... I sometimes feel ashamed about how I had this lucky break that opened so many doors. I feel very privileged... but to be honest, I don't feel as if I have done a lot.' Second deprication of the day.